Windy-Pendence Day

Were on the road by 7:30 a.m. with our friends the Jacksons heading to the Windy City. It was a pleasant day weatherwise and sight-seeing-wise. Had only been here in the downtown Chicago area once some 25 years ago so it was cool to see as an adult.

We are staying at the Holiday Inn situated on the top floors of the Chicago Sun Times building. Pretty fitting for a few journalists! 

My computer is slow and it is super late so I will just share a few photos and details...

View of the Chicago River from our hotel room.

Lunch at Harry Caray's of Chicago Cubs fame. Food was OK, atmosphere was great. Lots of celebrity photos.

After lunch, we walked to the lakefront and Navy Pier area. Lots of people for the holiday season. Took a water taxi part of the way back to hotel and later had dinner at the infamous Dick's Last Resort, where service is rude.... and hilarious. We did not warn the two teenagers but they found it to be hoot and declared it the best place ever! They force you (ha, ha) to wear paper hats they write on. Carter's hat says "Puberty Sucks."

My hat says "Faking it since 1998" and Jim's says "Viagara causes hair loss." They were no holds barred, that's for sure. My BFF Christine is a "Retired Stripper." Who knew? Fun times.

While waiting for fireworks later, we walked around Millennium Park by the lake. Lots of neat things like this fountain. I tried to get the moon in the background. But who knows. Too late to work with these photos.

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The Bean. You've seen it in magazines and on TV. Cool to see in person!

Not sure what this sculpture is. Will look it up later.

Part of skyline at dusk.

A bit later.

Fireworks! The only disappointment of the day. Waited two hours and they lasted 12 minutes. Very surprised. We were pretty much speechless after hearing the hype and knowing our fireworks in Wisconsin Rapids last almost an hour. Wasn't sure what was more surprising -- the brief display or the fact that thousands and thousands of people were there and we heard no one else complaining. Maybe this is all they know. Sad.

Hope you had a fun Independence Day or at least got to spend it with loved ones and relax.

Good night, Windy City. Ready to head East in the early a.m.!